Page 20 - The Decorative Painter Winter 2016

OIL
PAINTING TIPS
LIGHT SOURCE: Making strong contrasts in a painting depends on the value change (light, medium, and dark). Value change on a subject is created by the light source. It is the source of the light that gives the painting a soft glow or pop and pizazz.
When we were children we drew the sun on the paper usually at the top, sometimes right and sometimes left. As adults we still need to show a light source. It is directed through the painting by the way we highlight and shade the items in the design. This piece has an upper left light source. Each daisy petal, as well as the glass cornucopia vase, reflects this single light source.
ALKYDS: In an effort to maintain the integrity of the oil paint I use artist grade oils. To speed up its drying time, I use alkyds of matching in the slow drying color such as Win- sor & Newton Griffin Fast Drying Titanium White with Winsor & Newton Oil Titanium White and Winsor & Newton Griffin Fast Drying Cadmium Yellow Light Hue for Winsor & Newton Oil Cadmium Yellow Pale. A one-to-one ratio of oil and alkyd leaves the paint on the palette workable all day, yet when left overnight the alkyd speeds up the drying time of the paint on the surface. Cover your palette with plastic wrap at the end of each day. Make sure to push all the air out around each puddle of paint. This will keep the palette workable for days.
LET’S PAINT
TABLECLOTH AND DAISIES
Start by painting the cloth under the vase. Remember the light source is in the upper left. Block in the Blue Gray Values. (Refer to the Value Placement Map on page 17.) Pat- blend the line between values until they are well blended. The cast shadow that is under and behind the vase is blocked in as you go. The edges of the cast shadows are indicated with a --- • --- • --- line. This means to soften the line rather than blend it away.
The back edge of the cloth needs to be almost the same value as the background. It should be just barely visible. Use the no. 2 mop in the cloth area to remove brush marks. Using a 10/0 liner brush with Dark Blue Gray Mix value add stitching line along the
hem of the tablecloth.
CORNUCOPIA VASE
Paint the inside of the vase and the back rim. This area is mostly Dark Soft Blue Mix with touches of Very Dark Soft Blue Mix. Let dry.
DAISIES
Use the Blue Gray Values created for the tablecloth on the daisy petals. Notice how the light catches some of the petals and not others, while some of the petals are in the shad- ows. Use Light Blue Gray Mix as a basecoat for most of the petals. The Light Blue Gray Mix is the basecoat for the petals catching the brightest light, and Medium Blue Gray Mix and Dark Blue Gray Mix for petals in the shadows.
Over-stroke each petal with a lighter or darker value depending on whether it’s in the sunshine or shadows. Use the no. 1 or no. 2 droplet brush or a 10/0 liner to add streaks and ridges on each petal. Be sure to follow the contour of the petal you are working on.
Once you find your rhythm it will not take very long.
Add the button centers of the daises after the petals are in, using the Golden Values. Block in Light Golden Mix, Medium Golden Mix, and Dark Golden Mix on the
centers. Remember where the light source is located. If needed, increase the shading
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18 The Decorative Painter
• ISSUE NO. 4, 2016 DECORATIVEPAINTERS.ORG